Balancing

Hormones to
Reduce Stress
Jessika Berryessa

What are
Hormones?
Hormones act as chemical messengers
in the body
They are synthesized and secreted by
endocrine tissue (glands) and
transported in the blood to target
tissues or organs, where they bind to
protein receptors on membranes
Hormones generally regulate metabolic
processes

Video
https://youtu.be
/eWHH9je2zG4?t=6m24s

Factors Leading to Hormonal

Imbalance
Stress:
Increase in norepinephrine, epinephrine and
cortisol (fight or flight)
Increase blood pressure, heart rate and blood
sugar
Blood is shunted away from the digestive system,
reproductive system may shut down, increase your
risk of CVD, decrease immune performance and
may have an imbalance of intestinal microflora

Diet:
Stress-related behavior: over-eating/eating
unhealthy foods/skipping meals/ higher alcohol
consumption
Calorie restriction: increase stress hormones

Sleep:
Stress-related behavior: lying awake at night

Managing Stress by
Balancing Hormones
Adaptogens: Promotes homeostasis, may
regulate hormones and can reduce
sensitivity to stress

Cortisol modulators: May reduce high

cortisol levels in times of stress

Anxiolytic/Sedative Botanicals and

Plant Extracts: May reduce anxiety and
sleep disturbances

Vitamins: May reduce cortisol levels, sleep

enhancement, resetting circadian rhythm

References
H Green. (2015, June 22 ). Endocrine System, part 1 - Glands
& Hormones: Crash Course A&P #23. Retrieved from https://
www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWHH9je2 zG4
Gropper, S. and Smith, J. (2013). Advanced Nutrition
and Human Metabolism. Belmont, California: Wadsworth and
Cengage Learning.
Head, K. and Kelly, G. (2009). Nutrients and Botanicals for
Treatment of

Stress, Adrenal Fatigue, Neurotransmitter

Imbalance, Anxiety, and Restless Sleep. Retrieved from:

https://www.spectracell.com/media/
uploaded/2/0e2016801_266
fullpaper2009altmedrevnutrientsforthe
treatmentofstressfatigueandinsomnia.pdf